Aimee Fleck

Illustration

Class of 2013

Aimee Fleck ’13 knew MICA was for her after attending MICA’s pre-college program as a high school student from Fairfax, Virginia.

“I made some of my best work there,” she said. When she came to MICA, Fleck continued to hone her skills as an illustrator, focusing largely on fashion and feminism. Fashion is an art, she said, because it’s “one of the first palettes you get to work with.”

Her fascination with fashion evolved into an interest in body image and the comfort women have in expressing their personal sense of fashion. Science fiction also inspires her. “A lot of my interest in illustration came from reading science fiction novels and seeing all their beautifully illustrated covers,” said Fleck, who creates her own comics, zines, and posters, many of which were on sale at MICA Art Market, the College’s art sale around the December holidays.

Recognizing talent in Fleck, faculty member Rebecca Bradley encouraged the young artist to submit her work to They Draw & Cook and (left to right) All artwork by Aimee Fleck ’13 (illustration). The Dumpling Princess, digital, 2012; Black Tea, digital, 2012. They Draw & Travel, two blogs showcasing artists’ illustrations of their favorite recipes and places to visit, respectively. Having her work published on the blogs was a highlight for Fleck.

“You can never underestimate the Internet as a method of exposure for artists, especially illustrators,” she said. “I’m always looking for new ways to get my work out there.”

From MICA, Fleck comes away with an appreciation and understanding of what life as an illustrator entails.

“The number one thing I’ve gotten out of my MICA experience is learning from art teachers who are working illustrators,” she said. She plans to parlay that knowledge into a career as a freelance illustrator while developing her own voice as an artist.

“I want to create personal work to showcase the things I think are important,” she said.